Kumite refers to a type of sparring.  In traditional Shotokan Kumite for beginners entails working with a partner and practicing a series of movements.
This is called Gohon Kumite.
In this type of Kumite the attacker announces what the attack and target will be.  The defender must step back and block the attack.  Contact is not permitted.
The idea is to make contact with the others gi (uniform), not the actual body.
Kumite means ‘meeting of hands”.